Bicycle handle-bar



No. 626,602. Patented June 6, I899. J. T. FENTDN.

BICYCLE HANDLE BAR.

(Application filed Oct. 23, 1897. Renewed Mar. 10, 1899.)

2 Sheets-s L (No Model.)

INVENTOR w m E S S E w u Patented June 6, I899. J. T. FENTON.

BICYCLE HANDLE BAR.

(Application filed Oct. 23, 1897. Renewed. Mar. 10, 1899-) 2 She'ets-Shaet 2.

(No Model.)

INVENTOH O/gwfi J M WITNESSES:

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UNrTE STATES PATENT FFICE.

BICYCLE HANDLE-BAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 626,602, dated June 6, 1899.

Application filed October 23, 1897. Renewed March 10, 1899- Serial No. 708,594. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosnrH T. Fnnrorna citizen of the United States, residing in the city ofPhiladelphia, in the State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new .and useful Improvements in Bicycle Handle'Bars, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to bicycle handle-bars, and .has for its object to provide resilient means for taking up the vibration conveyed by the wheels through the frame to the usually rigid handle-bar.

To this end my invention consists, broadly, of the combination, with a pair of handle-bars which are rotatable relatively to the post on 'which they are mounted, of resilient means between said parts adapted to take up the vibration imparted to the post and which would otherwise be conveyed to the handle-bars, such means being combined with means to limit the arc of rotation of the handle-bars in both directions.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of the wheel. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, with the handle-bar in section, on the line 1 2 of Fig.1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan'view of the clamp B of Fig. Fig. 5 is a plan View, and Fig. 6 a front View, of a modification. Fig. 7 is a plan View, Fig. 8 a side View, partly in section, and Fig. 9 a detached plan View, of another modification. On Sheet 2 of the drawings Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a pair of handle-bars clamped on the post on which they are mounted as now ordinarily constructed. Fig. 12 is a side View of the same with my improvements applied thereto, showing another form of the means to limit the upwardmovement of the handle-bars in the arc of rotation; and Fig. 11 is a side elevation thereof removed from the handle-bars and their supporting-post.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 10, Sheet 2, illustrates a pair of bicycle handle-bars AA, which are shown integrally constructed and mounted upon the usual handle-bar post B by means of the usual clamp O, which forms a part thereof.

The post B is hollow for a part of its length, and hence is vertically adjustable relatively to the frame of the vehicle. The handlebars are externally screw-threaded for a part of their length to fit the internal screw-threads on the clamp C. It will be observed that when the clamp O is loosened the handle-bars are rotatable relatively to their supportingpost. The object of so mounting the bars is to adjust the bars at any angle relatively to the plane of the wheel. In bars of this construction as commonly employed the clamp U is again fastened tight after the bars have been adjusted to the desired angle. So far as described the construction is as usual, and to such rotatable handle-bars my invention,hereinafter described, is applicable.

In the employment of such construction of handle bars and supportingpost as the foundation element to which my improvement is applicable the clamp is not to be adjusted so tight on the bar as to prevent its rotation therein; but, on the contrary, it is to be suiiiciently loose to permit such rotation, and my invention primarily consists of means to limit this arc of rotation, and, secondarily, of resilient means against which the rotatable handle-bar in this vibratory motion in either one or both directions exerts a pressure.

Means to limit the arc of rotation of the handle-bars in an upward direction are shown in the drawingsin two forms, one of them being as shown in Fig. 12, in which the clamp O of the post is shown tapped out at c with a long enough tap or slot to permit of the rotation desired, and through this slot is inserted a stop-pin cl, inserted into a screw-hole tapped in the periphery of the handle-bar. Obviously the play'of the pin cl in the long slot 0 will limit the rotation of the bars in both directions, although its essential function is to limit the upward throw only. In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings the clamp-plates B and F, hereinafter described, are shown provided with extension-pieces B and F, projecting forward on the front side of the handle-bars, and these extension-pieces l3 and F are pro Vided with lugs b and f, extendinginwardly and toward each other, so that when the handle-bars (to which the clamp-plates B and F are secured)'are rotated the length of such roinstead of a single front extension-piece F there are two and a corresponding doubling of the lugs. In Figs. 7 and 8 is shown the same function and eifect by a lateral arrangement of the parts, the latter comprising the resilient devices hereinafter described.

In applying my invention I construct a clamp-plate B (see Figs. 1 and 2) to be secured adjustably on the post B by means of the screw m; This clamp-plate is shown in plan view in Fig. 4. I Obviously it can'be moved up and' down on the post-bar B and adjusted at any desired point thereon. Such adjustment will control and regulate the arc of rotation of the'handle-bars in a downward direction. A

clamp-'pl'ateF (shown in plan viewin Fig. 3)

is secure'drigidly on the handle-bars and rigidly on the'under plate F by screwing it, such as by means of screws 01. This clamp-plate F is provided with downwardly-projecting lugs is, and the lower clamp-plate B is provided with like-lugs k, projecting upwardly. These'are adapted to contact on the downward movement of the handle-bars in the aforesaid arc of rotation. A coiled springR, exertingan outward tension, is placed around these lugs 10, and the tendency thereof is to keep the plates F and B apart as far as the always at a right angle to the post-bar and stop devices shown in Fig. 12 or its equivalent shown in the'other figures will permit, and as thelower clamp-plate B is fixed and the-upper clamp F is rotatable the normal position of the latter will always be as shown in side elevation in Fig. 2-that is'to say, elevated in the rear to the extent of the limit of th'ea-rc of rotation in an upward direction. In order to supply resilient devices against any shock arisingfrom sudden contact of the front lugs b and f, there is provided a coiled spring t, mounted around such lugs and between the plates F and B, (see Fig. 2;) but this spring, which also exerts an outward tension, must be-smaller and exert less tension than the rear spring, so that the latter will always be able to maintain the clamp-plates B and F normally in the relative positions shown in Fig. 2.

The operation of the device will be apparent from the descriptionthat is to say, the handl'e-bars grasped by the rider being rotatable within certain limits any vibration imparted While riding over rough surfaces to the post B will not beconveyed to the handle-bars,

but will be taken up by the described intermediate resilient mechanism arranged between the clamp-plates B and F on the handle-bars and post-bar, respectively.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters .Patent, is-

1. The combination with the upright post B having a transverse sleeve-like clamp or i arm O, and a pair of handle-bars mounted rotatably therein, of a pair of clamping-plates 'F and F adapted to be rigidly fixed to the handle-bars on each side of the sleeve-like arm O, and resilient spring mechanism arranged between and adapted to exert a normally-outward pressure against the bearings therefor secured tothe post and against the clamp-plates F, F secured to the handle-bars substantially as described. I 2. In combination with a pair of handlej bars which are vertically rotatable relatively to the post on which they are mounted, and with means to limit said rotation in an upward direction, of a pair of clamp-plates F and F rigidly fixed on the handle-bars, and a lower adjustable clamp-plate B adapted to '1 be rigidly fixed at any desired height on the post B logs on the clamp-plates F and B opposite each other, and an outwardly-pressing spring between the clamp-plates; substantially as described.

3. In combination with a pair of handlebars which are vertically rotatable relatively to the post on which they are mounted, of a j pair of clamp-plates F, F rigidly clamped on the handle-bars, said plate F having a front extension-piece F, a lower adj ustable clampplate B secured to the post B and having a jifront extension-piece B, front and back lugs between the clamp-plates F and B and between their extension-pieces F and B and outwardly-pressin g springs between the same, 't'he'back spring being relatively of greater tension than the front spring, whereby the handle-bars are always maintained normally j at the extreme limit of their arc of rotation in an upward direction; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this 20th day of October, A. D. 1897.

JOSEPH T. FENTON. 

